State of Affairs: Cancel or Keep the Katherine Heigl TV Show?

by Trevor Kimball, January 19, 2015

Both CBS and NBC have launched new TV shows that revolve around smart blonde women who hold important government positions in Washington, DC. CBS’ Madam Secretary has already been renewed for a second season. What will happen to NBC’s State of Affairs? Will it be renewed or cancelled?

State of Affairs follows a top CIA analyst (Katherine Heigl) who assembles the President of the United States’ Daily Briefing (PDB), weighing the vital security issues that face the nation. She has a close personal relationship with the commander-in-chief (Alfre Woodard) as she was once engaged to the president’s now-deceased son. The rest of the cast of this dramatic thriller includes Adam Kaufman, Sheila Vand, Cliff Chamberlain, Tommy Savas, and David Harbour.

Taking over for NBC’s highly-rated series The Blacklist,State of Affairsdebuted in November to a healthy 2.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 8.69 million viewers. It was a solid start that was no doubt aided by its strong lead-in The Voice. Some people were also possibly expecting to find a new episode of The Blacklist in the timeslot instead.

In week two, despite still having a strong lead-in, State of Affairs’ ratings dropped more than 36% to a 1.4 in the demo with 5.39 million. They rose up a bit in week three but have been falling ever since. Last week’s installment hit new series lows with a 0.7 in the demo and 3.62 million viewers.

Though NBC had high hopes for this series, State of Affairs is just not measuring up. The network is poised to finish airing the 13 episode season (there are four episodes remaining after tonight’s) but it’s hard to imagine that they’d consider renewing it for a second season with poor ratings like these.

NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt recently said, “I’m disappointed in what it’s been doing [in the ratings] the last couple of weeks… It’s a show that I think is a really fine show, so I’m scratching my head a little bit about why we can’t get more people to be there for it.”

There’s still time for the numbers to improve but it doesn’t seem likely they’d be good enough to save the show. Hopefully the season finale will offer viewers some measure of closure to the ongoing storylines.

But, what do you think? Do you like the State of Affairs TV show? If you ran the network, would you cancel or renew the series for a second season? How would you improve this show if it was renewed?

They need to stop canceling shows based on who or how many are watching as it airs. Most people i know including myself have busy lives and like to watch the show when we have time. we watch it online and commercial free.or have it recorded.There have even been shows we have waited in anticipation for only to find out it was canceled before it even aired. like Hieroglyph. So stop canceling the shows we love. Nothing but garbage left..

I can’t believe it!!!! This is one of the best shows on the air along with Blacklist, I am totally shocked and really disappointed it is a excellent show and well written It was a must see each week. I don’t understand how crappy shows stay and good shows with wonderful story lines, interest and intrigue are cancelled.I think that you should reconsider canceling State of Affairs there is never enough hours in a day to take care of job family and entertainment so a lot of people DVR everything so when they get to actually relax they pull up… Read more »

I totally agree. i made the same comment.They have to stop using the whos watching while it airs strategy. In this day and age most of us do not have time to sit down when the shows airs. we watch it when we have time. and look forward to watching it when we want.

I am so disappointed that they have cancelled this show. It was a must see each week. I even go other friends hooked and now they are cancelling. I never understand how crappy shows stay and good shows with wonderful story lines, interest and intrigue are cancelled.
PLEASE leave this show on!!!!

I just discovered State of Affairs after being told how good it was. I binge watched the entire season in 2 days!!! It has the “edge of your seat” urgency and the plot lines and overall writing reminded me of 24, without the violence in every scene. There was violence but it was a necessary part of the story lines. Great writing and acting made this show overshadow so much of the junk on TV. Most of the shows I watch are on TNT or USA; maybe one of those channels could pick it up. Looking forward to that, hopefully.

My husband and I just started to watch season one and realized that the second season was canceled. This was one of the best shows we had been interested in a while. Now it’s canceled! ,There are so many other shows on TV that is not even worth watching. Hopefully you will give this show another chance.